Objective:
The objectives of this cooperative research project are (1) Evaluate dairy waste water as a potential source of pathogen contamination in almonds as related to objective 1 of the 038 parent project and (2)Compare the bacterial community structure on organic and commercially grown almonds with specific regard to pathogens as related to objective 2 of the 038 parent project.

Approach:
We have already obtained almonds at different time points in the growth cycle (bud, set, split and mature) from organic and conventional orchards. We will compare the bacterial population structures associated with them and evaluate the dynamics that occur during the maturation process. Specific attention will be paid to the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella. In another set of experiments, dairy wastewater will be applied to a portion of an almond orchard prior to drupe formation and the bacterial populations on them will be compared to those in a control orchard in close proximity. The bacterial populations on the drupes will be compared at maturity with specific regard to pathogens such as Salmonella.